The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
KNOW WHAT EARLY SIGNS TO LOOK FOR
As the family of Dame Deborah James announce her death at the age of 40, we find out what we should all know about bowel cancer symptoms and treatment
Dame Deborah James died at the age of 40, her family announced this week. The much-loved presenter of the BBC podcast You, Me And The Big C, and mum-of-two, raised millions of pounds for research through the Bowelbabe Fund before she died – and leaves behind an important legacy. Her family posted on Instagram: “Deborah shared her experience with the world to raise awareness, break down barriers, challenge taboos and change the conversation around cancer. Even in her most challenging moments, her determination to raise money and awareness was inspiring.”
Throughout her journey, Deborah shared candid Instagram posts on her progress and videos showing her dancing her way through treatment – her positivity was truly inspirational. So, from the symptoms she wanted everyone to check to the treatments available, here’s what we should all understand about bowel cancer.
HOW COMMON IS BOWEL CANCER?
Dr Lisa Wilde, director of research and external affairs at Bowel Cancer UK, says: “Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK and the second biggest cancer killer, affecting men and women. Every 15 minutes someone is diagnosed with bowel cancer, which is nearly 43,000 people every year.”
WHAT ARE THE MAIN SYMPTOMS?
“Persistent and unexplained changes in your bowel habits – you may notice that you need to poo more frequently and your stools are looser,” says Dr Nikki Ramskill, GP at the digital healthcare provider, Livi.
What’s normal for you might be abnormal for someone else. Noticing blood in your poo or from your bottom is another sign.
She says: “Often it is dark red or brown in colour, and unexplained weight loss, extreme tiredness, a pain or lump in your tummy are other warning signs.”
In some cases, bowel cancer can stop digestive waste passing though the bowel.
“This is a medical emergency and you should seek urgent medical care,” warns Ramskill.
Signs of this happening include sickness with constant swelling around your abdomen and abdominal pain brought on by eating.
COULD THE SYMPTOMS MEAN SOMETHING ELSE?
Quite possibly, but it’s so important to find out what’s causing any of these signs.
“Having these symptoms does not always mean you have bowel cancer – they can be a sign of other common conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), an infection, or inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis,” says Ramskill.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN AT THE GP APPOINTMENT?
It’s a good idea to keep a symptoms diary to discuss with the doctor.
“On the day, your doctor may want to examine your tummy and bottom to check for any lumps. You may also be asked to take a blood test – this will check for an iron deficiency which can be a sign of bowel cancer,” says Ramskill.
“In some cases, you may also be required to provide a stool sample so your poo can be checked for blood – another symptom.”
HOW TREATABLE IS IT?
“Bowel cancer is treatable and curable especially if diagnosed early,” says Wilde.
“Nearly everyone survives bowel cancer if diagnosed at the earliest stage, but this drops significantly as the disease develops. Early
diagnosis really does save lives. Visiting your GP if you are concerned about symptoms can
help increase chances of an early diagnosis.”
WHAT IS A FIT TEST?
Your GP might request you do a FIT (Faecal Immunochemical Test) which helps to detect bowel cancer at an early stage, explains Wilde. It can be carried out at home.
“The FIT test looks for hidden blood in poo and you can take the test in the privacy of your own home. The test has a stick attached to the lid, which is used to take one small poo sample and placed back into the tube. It’s
then sent to a screening centre and you will get your results in about two weeks,” she says.
Your doctor may refer you for a colonoscopy at hospital if they suspect something isn’t right with your bowel or colon. It’s a very common procedure – thousands are carried out across the country every week.
“The procedure involves an endoscopist putting a thin flexible tube with a camera on the end up your bottom so they can see the inside of your bowel,” says Wilde.
“(It) gives a close-up view of the inside of your bowel so they can clearly see if there’s anything wrong. Most people who have a colonoscopy won’t have bowel cancer. But, if bowel cancer is detected at its earliest stage, nearly everybody is treated successfully.”
NEARLY EVERYONE SURVIVES BOWEL CANCER IF DIAGNOSED AT THE EARLIEST STAGE, BUT THIS DROPS SIGNIFICANTLY AS THE DISEASE DEVELOPS
WHAT TREATMENT IS AVAILABLE?
“If you are diagnosed with bowel cancer, you will be cared for by a multidisciplinary team who will discuss
your treatment options depending on which part of your bowel is affected, how far the cancer has spread and your general health,” says Ramskill.
Donate to Deborah James’ fund at bowelbabe.org